Saturday, June 20, 2015

How Daily 5 has Evolved - Book Study

Hi, all.  Today, I decided to jump in on a Daily 5 Book Study with some other bloggers.  The book study was launched by Brenda at Primary Inspired, and there are LOTS of teachers joining in!  Even if you aren't a blogger, you can jump in and leave comments.  If you have a blog, link up and share your thoughts!  There will be tips, giveaways, and ideas to get started.  Here's a schedule for what to expect:


So, today starts the talk.  How Daily 5 has evolved.  Confession:  I've owned the first edition for about three years.  I read it and reread it, and I couldn't quite wrap my head around it.  I mean, in theory, it's all great!  I was super excited to get started right away!  In fact, I decided to start in January that year because I read it over winter break!  In action, it was too much too fast too soon.  I have things that the district mandates me to do, and I should be doing them when the principal walks in, right?  I'm trying to be a good sport here... I only just got hired at this school!  So I decided not to use Daily 5 that year.  Or the next year.  I was given the role of Literacy Site-Based Specialist in my building, so I thought that it would be less than professional if I were guiding teachers on how to use the district-adopted reading program but not using it myself.  Boy, was that a mistake!

Then, enter my third year teaching at this school (last year).  My principal knows me a lot better, she trusts my judgement because of the growth that my classes the previous years had made, and she pretty much gave me the reigns in my classroom.  She also agreed with what I was saying about the basal.. It's no good for my kids!  The Sisters even described the use of the basal.  I'm paraphrasing here, but I remember something along the lines of "It's only just right for a small number of the students.  Other students are too high, and still others are too low."  I haven't used the basal the way it was written in probably five or six years.  Last year, I decided to not really use the basal readers at all.  It was challenging, but my students made significant growth considering the barriers they had!

I have to be honest... The entire time I was reading the first chapter, I kept having the same two thoughts.  First, how on earth am I supposed to hold students accountable?  And second, this reminds me a whole lot about everything I just learned about Conscious Discipline!!

As for the accountability, you know us teachers... We need to have something written down to prove that students did the work and know what they're doing.  I don't know why I had such a hard time letting this go... I mean, I haven't used the workbooks that go with the basal in years, so why do I need them to write something down now?  It wasn't until I read Chapter 2 that I was satisfied with not making the students write things down.

As for the thoughts on Conscious Discipline, if you've never heard of it, I highly recommend that you look into it.  The book is cheaper through the Conscious Discipline website than it is through Amazon, so I'd recommend purchasing straight from the company.

I think my favorite thing about the new edition is that it's grounded in research and practice.  The first edition was sort of put out as a set of rules.  "This is how Daily 5 works in the classroom.  Just do it." (Okay, Nike.)  In the second edition, The Sisters really listened to teachers that were trying to do this stuff in the classroom.  They took into consideration research, and not only research by authorities in literacy instruction - but also authorities in brain research!  They took out the "This is how you are supposed to do it," and instead wrote the book as a guideline.  "This is how we do it, but please make it work for you!"
OCD confession:  This is the first book in my life that I've actually written in.  And I wasn't even brave enough to use a pen. Haha!!

I do have to admit that there is one thing that I didn't like about the updates... The format of the schedule.  I just don't like change unless it's necessary, and it took me way more time and effort than it should have to figure out how the schedule was organized... only to find that it there wasn't much of a change at all. Haha!

The good news, though, is that there was actually a change.  It just didn't happen in the "5 rounds" schedule.  The change, which was brilliant for The Sisters to admit needed to happen, was that you can't get to all five rounds each day.  There are other schedules for three rounds and even two rounds. In my classroom, we can do three rounds each day.

The one thing that I try to tell all of the teachers that ask me about this... Remember it's just a framework!  It has no content at all.  That's the beauty of the system!  You use the structure with lessons to support your state/district/school curriculum requirements!  So far, I've recruited two teachers to join me starting in August.  They asked how I get my students to become so independent...  Both of them bought the book, so I'm excited to help them on their journey!

Here is my question to you...  How do you take notes?  In Chapter 1, The Sisters mention the conferring notebook - the Pensieve.  They have transitioned from a paper/pencil method of keeping track to an online conferring notebook.  I haven't looked into the online conferring notebook because, well one, I'm cheap. Haha!  (I know, $24 or $39 per year isn't too much, but it's still $24 or $34 per year. Haha!)  Two, I don't know that I will keep up with it at all!  I don't even like to read books on a screen.  I am not sure how I would feel about toting around my laptop... although it does seem more convenient than a binder.  So, if anyone looks into this or already subscribes, let me know how it works for you!

Until I make up my mind, I have been using my binder system to keep up with my kiddos.  You can get it at my TPT store.  I'm thinking about updating the file to work with my new system of taking notes - on shipping labels!  Peel and stick, baby!  But I'd have to redo the whole file because it was originally created on an old computer that sort of crapped out.  [EDIT:  I did revamp it.]

Anyway.  I'll give my Conferring Notebook file to anyone who comments here this week (20-25Jun); leave me a contact email. Just promise you'll go back and give it some feedback!  One of these days, I'll tell you about how it all gets set up in my binder.

[Thanks to a reader letting me know that TPT wasn't allowing her to post her feedback, I have put a little bandaid on that problem.  By accessing the file in my store, you will find that it is free for a limited time.  Please remember not to mention the freebie when you leave feedback, as it will be a paid item again after this promotion.]



Check back next week as we look deeper into the foundations of Daily 5.  In the meantime, don't forget to look into other teachers' blogs and comments to find some tips and ideas that you can use!  (Use the images at the bottom of this page to navigate the book study.)




22 comments:

  1. Loved reading your reflections! I am definitely excited to get started next year.
    Alyce

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    1. Hi! Thanks!
      I'm pretty stoked about actually going in full-force next year. :)
      Send me your email address; I'd love to send you my Conferring Notebook file!

      Carrie

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  2. Loved your post Carrie! And I can identify with you SO much. I too, am cheap and have tried to cut corners, not wanting to pay for the conferring notebook, and am constantly revamping the way I track students' progress. I so appreciate when another teacher is feeling the same way.
    Kcooper@sd83.bc.ca

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    1. Thanks, Kelly!

      I'm glad I'm not the only one! I can't tell you how many things I have made for my students just in an effort not to buy them! Haha!
      Confession: I often leaf through the Really Good Stuff or Carson-Dellosa catalogs just to see what I might be able to make to make my and my students' lives easier. Haha!!

      Let me know how you end up tracking progress this year. I'd love to compare ideas to see if we can make a better (and easier) system! :)

      Carrie

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    2. Kelly,

      I want to send you the file for my Conferring Notebook, but I've tried from two of my email accounts. It's coming back with a Mailer Daemon notice. When you get a chance, send me an email. I'd be happy to send you the file.

      carrie.dawley@gmail.com

      Carrie

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  3. Hi Carrie! I will be a first time teacher for third grade next year and I plan to implement the D5 for the reading block. I look forward to digging into the book with you all!
    onjonet@yahoo.com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by!

      I'm so glad that you are interested in the structure of the Daily 5! There is a lot of evidence supporting a workshop model over the "spray and pray" method typical of whole-group instruction. You won't be sorry! :)

      Carrie

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  4. I have read both editions of Daily 5 and have implemented some of the ideas in my classroom. This summer I am going back and looking at how I can implement more of the ideas into my schedule. I know my students like the workshop method of learning in math, so I think it would be beneficial in reading also. My email is teachermom79@gmail.com. Thanks! I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone makes D5 fit for them and gathering new insights and tips!

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    1. Hi, Mary!

      I tend to take pieces of a lot of things that I like and fit them together to work for me. I think that the Daily 5 being based on a workshop model is the only reason that I've been able to like it as much as I do! I love being able to meet with my students several times throughout the week (and some every day). It really helps know where they are, and I can give specific feedback to parents! It's important that parents know that their child is important enough for you to notice instead of just rambling on with the generic comments. (Terrible confession: I was the generic commenter for the first several years of my career. I mean, I knew which kids were passing tests and the mistakes they were making when they didn't, but I had no clue about their interests or what they wanted to learn about. I think back now and wonder how I made it through those years...)

      Enjoy the rest of D5. I'm looking forward to hearing from you again!

      Carrie

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  5. I agree with all of this! I would love to check out your notebook! Thanks
    kwalker@mht-stl.org

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    1. Thank you for stopping by!

      I hope you find the notebook useful. Keep checking in! I'm looking forward to sharing some more of my ideas as well as learning from yours!

      Carrie

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  6. Loved your summary! I think I might use your book study as a review for myself instead of re-reading the entire book. I thought long and hard about subscribing to the electronic pensive. I love technology! But the more I thought about the learning curve for myself and wanting to dig in and go I thought the binder was a better option. Plus if I was on my personal iPad during reading then the kids had one less to use for themselves!

    I have to admit that I already read your blog about revamping your conferring notebook and have to agree with you, the look of version 1 is very appealing. I don't know which version you are offering here, but I would love to have a copy of it. Either one will certainly be more attractive than what I'm using. ;) sgrodek@roadrunner.com

    Looking forward to your next installment! Sue

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    1. Sue,

      I'm so glad that you stopped by! I'm happy to know that I'm not the only one feeling completely "old school" about the online conferring notebook. They do offer a free trial, but I don't want to even bother looking into it now. I'd much rather start the 30 days when I actually have students so I can really see if it's something worthwhile. To be honest, though, once I get started with the ol' paper/pencil notebook, I probably will forget all about the online notebook and never give it a shot. Haha!

      Thanks for stopping by!
      Have a great night!
      Carrie

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  7. I'm really excited to follow you through this book study. I read the daily 5 after my first year of teaching and incorporated elements of the system in my classroom. I've slowly worked myself away from it and moved back into the boring prescripted Routine that my district adopted. Now that I am rereading D5, I am really getting into trying it again. I love that they changed it to 3 a day vs. 5 rounds a day. I think that will help make it feel more manageable. I keep regretting not continuing more of the system in my classroom this past year. Can't wait to see what your conferring notebook looks like! The online notebook looks like a little too much to worry about right now. Old fashioned is definitely the way to go! Miss.starr@live.com

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    1. You know, I did the same thing some time ago. Many years ago, I was trying to figure out how to make things more engaging. I didn't own the D5 book when I taught 4th grade, but I owned a lot of Debbie Diller's books and several Fountas & Pinnell books. I researched until I couldn't anymore, and I implemented a reading and writing workshop. I thought it was great! Then I thought it was too much work. Then I went back to the prescribed routine based on district mandates because, well, it was easier. (I am so ashamed to say that out loud.) I was to the point in that school where I didn't even want to teach anymore. It drained the life out of me, and it wasn't fun anymore. I moved, and I said I was going to look for another job. Then it dawned on me that I have no other marketable skill. Haha! I don't know how to do anything else! So I started teaching again in Alaska. (The cliff notes of that part of the story was in this post.) It was probably the best move I've ever made! I'm so ready to jump in all the way this coming year!

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  8. Hi Carrie,

    I enjoyed reading your blog and can relate... I prefer (so far) keeping a binder system, even though I love using the computer. It just seems easier to write on paper. I have been using Daily 5 for a few years and am reading the new version. I would love your Conferring Notebook. I am always looking for ways to improve what I do. I will continue to read along with you!

    Thank you,
    Keysee3@yahoo.com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Doree!!

      I would love to hear about the online notebook if you ever do decide to use it! I'm pretty old school in that I like to be able to turn pages, so I'll probably just stick with my notebook and be envious of others who subscribe to the website. Haha!

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  9. I would love to see the conferring notebook. I have been blundering through with my own binder for a while but could really use some new ideas. TIA

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    1. sorry...dddandtan566@gmail.com

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    2. I hate that feeling of just "blundering through," like you said. I hope the notebook works for you.

      I appreciate you stopping by!

      Carrie

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  10. This is my first year teaching 1st grade and have planned on doing the Daily 5 since I found out I was moving up from Head Start. I love the idea of having the Pensieve, but am super nervous about actually keeping track of my kiddos in it, digital or paper. Thank you for your Chapter 1 thoughts. maria.jo.kroeker@gmail.com

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    1. I was nervous in the beginning as well, Maria. I didn't think I could (or even would) keep up with my students in a way that would make sense. Having a system, like the notebook, makes it a lot easier to know exactly what you need to keep up with. Having the notes makes conferencing with parents so much easier! Parents love feeling like you *really* know their kids. They don't want to sit through conferences where you share generic statements that could be any kid. I wouldn't want to either, so I get it. Sadly, I was that teacher in my early years that would go through 24 conferences not *knowing* a single kid. Now that I think back, it was sort of embarrassing!! I hope this notebook is beneficial to you. Check back often for more tips, ideas, and resources. (My goal in life is to stop putting this blog on the back burner... But life outside the Internet is so much fun! Haha!)

      Carrie

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